Former NHLer Wade Belak was found dead in his Toronto condo on Wednesday. The cause of his death is as of yet undetermined, but police said foul play is not suspected. The Nashville Predators, his last NHL team, released the following statement: “The entire Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak. Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time.” Belak played 15 games last season for the Predators, finishing with 18 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He was placed on waivers by the club in February of this year. He retired shortly after clearing waivers unclaimed. Former NHL tough guy Georges Laraque joined TSN Radios Cybulski & Company shortly after the news of Belaks death broke and spoke about the pressures of being an enforcer on the ice. "Now I think people will realize the tough job of playing in the NHL and the tough job of being a heavyweight," he said. "It takes a lot mentally. Its really hard." He went on about the realities that come with punching your weight for a living in the NHL. "When you retire after being a heavyweight for as many years as you played, most of those guys didnt make [much] money, so theres no options for them after," Laraque said. "So, after you have all this pressure of playing and fighting for a living, now you have to fight to live when life after hockey is over." Many of Belaks former teammates took to Twitter to express their disbelief. "Wade Belak was one of funniest dudes I had ever met. Just was with him earlier this summer. Cant believe it Thoughts and prayers to his fam," tweeted recent Preds teammate Blake Geoffrion. Former Maple Leafs teammate Owen Nolan also expressed his shock via Twitter. "Im lost for words. Wade Belak RIP my friend," his tweet read. The 35-year-old Belak spent parts of 14 seasons in the NHL with Nashville, Toronto, Florida, Calgary and Colorado. In 549 career games he scored eight goals and added 25 assists, while racking up 1263 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round, 12th overall, at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

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. KINGS TAKE FREEWAY SERIES The Los Angeles Kings stormed the Anaheim Ducks early in Game Seven, building a 3-0 first-period lead on their way to a 6-2 decision, earning the Kings a rematch with the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final.

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.J. -- New Jersey agreed with Petr Sykora to terms of a one-year deal on Wednesday, completing the former Devils bid to return to the NHL after an 18-month absence.

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. Garza, who signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the Milwaukee in the off-season, retired the Cubs in order in four of the first six innings.

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. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sent a letter Friday to the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce citing the derogatory nature of the word "redskins" and suggesting the committee use its influence to persuade team owner Dan Snyder and the NFL to change the name.BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Joao Plata scored twice in the final 24 minutes, including the winner in stoppage time, to help Real Salt Lake remain unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over the winless Chicago Fire on Saturday night. Alvaro Saborio tied it 1 second into stoppage time for Real Salt Lake (4-0-5). Plata, who cut the Fires lead in half with a 12-yard shot in the 72nd minute, beat Chicagos Sean Johnson with the winner in the 93rd minute, halfway through stoppage time.dddddddddddd The Fire (0-2-6) scored twice in the first 30 minutes. Mike Magee and Juan Luis Anangono beat Reals Nick Rimando from close range, with Anangono doing so on a pretty header set up by Greg Cochrane. ' ' '

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